The strategic error Burgoyne made in choosing his route was he underestimated the terrain.

During the Saratoga campaign, Burgoyne made a strategic mistake when deciding on his route: underestimating the terrain. He chose a route that would take him through rough terrain and dense forests, which made moving troops and supplying lines much more difficult. The British army was hampered in their advance and exposed to American forces as a result of this error in judgment. The tough terrain hindered logistics and communication, making it hard for him to keep his forces together. In the end, Burgoyne's failure was largely due to this underestimating of the topography, underscoring the significance of in-depth reconnaissance and a grasp of the battlefield environment in military strategy.